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The Ale List: Full Sail Brewery gains new honor

Full Sail Brewing has been named “Craft Brewer of the Year” by Beverage World Magazine for its 26 years of “sustainable stewardship, quality, consistency and operational ingenuity.” More than a quarter century after its founding, Full Sail’s beers continue to garner acclaim on worldwide stage, having collected more than 300 awards, including 130 Gold medals.

“It’s a great honor to receive this recognition from Beverage World,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s founder and CEO. “We are thrilled that Full Sail has been named Craft Brewer of the Year. It is with a sense of pride and deep appreciation that we acknowledge this accolade from Beverage World.

“When we founded Full Sail in 1987 there were only a handful of small breweries in the country and we were fortunate to be one of those early, pioneering brewers,” Firmat said. The craft beer industry has grown and changed tremendously over these 26 years, as there are now over 3,000 breweries nationwide.

“Our focus and vision for our brewery has always been to provide world class, elegant beers with impeccable, consistent quality. Over the years, the hundreds of medals we have received in national and international awards reflect this dedication.

“As the first brewery in the small community of Hood River, we understood the impact we have to both our community and our environment. To be named Craft Brewer of the Year means that not only do we take brewing seriously, but also our responsibility to our employee-owners, our community, and the beauty of our environment. This award is indeed one of life’s moments worth celebrating,” added Firmat.

However you pronounce it, you can drink it for the first time on Saturday at Volcanic Bottle Shop on the Heights, 5-8 p.m. Enjoy music by Messier and Northrup.

The breweries introduced Half Naakt at the Wild and Farmhouse Ale Festival at Saraveza in Portland last weekend. It is a blend of two similar recipes, which brewers Jason Kahler of Solera and Dave Logsdon and Charles Porter of Logsdon also brewed in their own versions. The Solera brew is called Half Naked Spring Break, and the Logsdon edition is called Spring Equinox, or Lentepunt in Flemish.

Solera gets smokey at Apple Valley BBQ

Solera Brewery’s Jason Kahler will pour his smoked malt specialty ale today at his neighboring Parkdale restaurant, Apple Valley BBQ on Baseline, as part of Apple Valley’s third anniversary party, from 11-8 p.m.

Iron Man Strong Ale Festival is Saturday

The third-annual Iron Man Strong Ale Festival will be at Skamania Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Stevenson, Wash., on Saturday from 2-8 p.m. Entry is $12; 21-and-over only. The festival brings beer lovers a chance to sample a unique variety of hard-to-find strong beers from Columbia Gorge breweries Everybody’s, Pfriem, Full Sail, Thunder Island, Backwoods and others from around the country.

A Beer Geek session is planned from 2-2:45 p.m. for those who like to swirl, sip and chat — followed by live music by the String Beats, Funk Shui and Funkship Columbia.

Food will be provided by Chef Mick Schneider. This is a 21-and-over event with valid, state-issued ID required for entry.

‘Last call’ at Skylight Theatre until April 25

Skylight Theatre will close April 7-25 for theater and lobby renovations, but Andrew’s Pizza will remain open. Renovations started in March in the lobby. The theater will reopen April 25 for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. Tickets will go on sale in April.